Sir Alex Ferguson partners with Greater Manchester Mayor to launch suicide prevention campaign
Sir Alex is teaming up with the Greater Manchester Mayor to launch a campaign encouraging people to "speak openly" about the topic of suicide and help save lives.
The League Managers’ Association (LMA) is teaming up with the Greater Manchester Mayor to launch a regional campaign encouraging people to “speak openly” about the topic of suicide and help save lives.
The LMA – which includes former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and ex-City manager Mark Hughes – is partnering with Andy Burnham’s office to “bring suicide out of the dark in Greater Manchester.”
TheShining a Light on Suicide campaign has been set up to offer vital advice and support to anyone who may be feeling suicidal, worried someone else is, or has lost someone to suicide.
Ferguson said it was “essential that the topic of suicide is spoken about openly.”
“The more we talk about suicide, the easier it is to ask someone if they’re having suicidal thoughts,” he added.
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“Talking really could help to save a life. The Shining a Light on Suicide campaign is so important.”
Later today, we will launch a new partnership with @LMA_Managers on our ground-breaking Shining A Light On Suicide campaign.
Mayor Andy Burnham stated: “We know there is a growing mental health crisis taking place alongside this pandemic that will still be there after it’s over.
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“But we also know that people have been looking out for each other more and that gives us something to build on.
“Just having a little bit of knowledge about suicide, and the confidence to speak about it in the right way, can help to save a life.”
Burnham added: “We are grateful to many current and former managers for stepping forward to support it.”
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Mark Hughes said that whilst suicide was a difficult subject to talk about, “it’s important to be direct if you’re concerned about someone.”
The former City boss stated: “Together we can work to encourage openness and honesty, which will ultimately empower everyone to play a part in preventing suicide.”
Chester Zoo is hiring a new keeper to look after its ‘birds and bees’
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo is currently hiring someone to look after its ‘birds and bees’, and you can get your applications in the for role now.
If you’re after a career change in 2026, then surely it doesn’t get much better than this?
The UK’s biggest charity zoo currently has a vacancy open for a Keeper to join the Invertebrates team, and for the right candidate, this offers a fantastic opportunity to work as part of the wider Ectotherms department – with a focus on native species conservation.
Chester Zoo is responsible for one of Europe’s largest and most-diverse animal communities, and this is your chance to be a part of what makes it so special.
For this full-time role, the zoo is looking for an ‘enthusiastic, dynamic, and motivated’ individual to provide extensive knowledge and proven expertise in caring for and managing all the native invertebrate species that live there.
The ideal candidate for this job will have a HND or degree level qualification in a zoological related science or equivalent experience, and have ‘outstanding’ observational skills and attention to detail, as well as be committed to ensuring the highest possible standards of animal health and welfare are met.
The role of ‘Keeper – Invertebrates’ is 40 hours per week on a 12-month Fixed Term basis, with the working week being 10 days out of 14, including weekends and bank holidays as rostered, and the salary being £25,500 per annum.
Working at Chester Zoo comes with an ‘excellent benefits package’ and loads of perks too, including a generous pension scheme, 33 days paid holidays per year, a healthcare plan, pension scheme, a staff pass so you can visit the zoo for free, and complimentary tickets for friends and family.
Think you’re fit for the job? The closing date for applications is 22 November 2026, and you can find out more and apply for the role here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
News
Appeal for information after serious bus-cyclist collision on Deansgate
Daisy Jackson
Police have launched an appeal for information following a serious road traffic collision on Deansgate, which has left a cyclist in critical condition.
Yesterday afternoon reports were made of a crash between a cyclist and a bus on the busy street in Manchester city centre.
The cyclist, who is a man in his 80s, has suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash, and remains in hospital in critical condition.
The crash took place on the junction of Bridge Street and Deansgate at around 12.30pm on Monday 2 November.
A large cordon was in place and Deansgate closed for several hours yesterday.
Police officers are now appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the moments leading up to this incident, or may have mobile phone or dashcam footage, to come forward.
No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting the log number 1510 of 02.11.26. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
15th March 2021 
